AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. "189 



Many times afterwards I visited the same place, and found the Grouse. 

 Each time it let me approach a little nearer than before. The smaller 

 picture is the result of my first exposure, and this was obtained by 

 creeping up behind an old log fence. 



The bird was on the other side, and about 10 feet away. The ex- 

 posure was 1-25 second. After a few more visits I was able to get 

 within four or five feet of it, and one day whi^e I was sitting on the 

 ground rustling the leaves with my hand and trying to call the Grouse, 

 it came toward me, and as I reached out my hand it pecked my finger. 

 On one occasion I held it for some minutes in my hands, but it resent- 

 ed this familiarity by walking away when I had released it. However, 

 it soon forgave me and became as friendly as ever. When I would go 

 to the carriage it would run ahead of me, and I had to exercise the 

 greatest care lest I stepped on it. It would also follow the wagon, 

 running behind the wheel like a dog, until I would drive fast and leave 

 it. If upon returning to the place where I always found it, and near 

 which I concluded its nest was located, I did not at first find it, a few 

 clucks in imitation of its call would bring it to my side. 



These visits occurred during May and June. The last week in June 

 I took the larger picture. Two weeks afterwards I returned but did 

 not find it. I presume she had hatched out her brood and had started 

 off to find food for her little family. 



But I must not prolong this sketch further than to tell how I got 

 picture No. 2. The camera, a 5 by 7, was placed on a shortened tri- 

 pod. The Grouse w^as about two and one-half feet from the lens. She 

 stood perfectly still watching my movements, while I focused, but as 

 soon as I dropped the focusing cloth at my knees to put in the plate- 

 holder, she sprung at the cloth beneath the tripod, and dealt it a few 

 vigorous blows with her wings. Gently shoving the bird back to her 

 position, I again focused. This time I took the precaution to leave the 

 cloth on top of the camera. The exposure was one second. I wanted 

 to take a full profile view that day, but my subject had either neglected 

 to make her toilet, or else had got some balsam on her back, for a tuft 

 of feathers stood on end. I think the bird was not responsible for her 

 "ruffed" appearance, for I tried with my hand to smooth down the 

 feathers, but like Hamlet's ghost they would not "down." Of course 

 I took a great many other pictures, but these are the first and last. 



I wish that I could express on paper the pleasure this short acquaint- 

 ance with the Ruffed Grouse gave me, for long shall I cherish in my 

 memory the happy hours spent beneath the cedar trees with my forest 

 friend. And if no hunter, prowling last fall with his deadly gun, killed 

 my gentle bird, or no wily fox carried her off for his dinner. I hope 

 to see her again this spring. s. p. brownell, s.t. D.,WestBarnet,vt. 



